Floodlight



Dec. 28,1926. 1,612,328

J. R. TOWNSEND El AL FLOODLIGHT Filed Jan. 16, 1924 1 INVENTORS ATTORNEYPatented Dec. 28,- was.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN R. TOWNSEND, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AND CHRISTIAN AALBORG, OFPITTS- BURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS T WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFAC-TUBING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

FLOODLIGHT.

Application filed January 16, 1924. Serial No. 686,538.

' Ourinvcntion relates to illuminating devices andmore particularly tofocusing means for floodlights and similar apparatus.

-It is among the objects of our invention 6 to provide a device of thischaracter which shall be capable of positive, convenient and exactuniversal adjustability in reference to a reflector or its focal point.

It is a further object of our invention to provide such an enclosure ofthe operating parts of the apparatus that the members thereof may bereadily and conveniently caused to function to universally andlongitudinally adjust a lamp in reference to the focal point of areflector by the actuation of means exterior of the reflector case; toprovide a device of this character which shall be readily and delicatelyresponsive to adjustment, and to provide an illuminating device of suchconstruction that light therefrom may be directed in a path at any anglefrom its base or support.

Our invention consists substantially in the provision of an illuminatingdevice with a tightlyenclosed. dust and moisture proof reflector case orchamber having a lamp carrying socketmechanism adapted to be universallyadjusted around a hall member and be locked in adjusted position so thatthe lamp may be precisely positioned in reference to the reflector orits focal point, without the opening of the reflector case and whichdevice shall also be capable of projecting light in any direction withrespect to its base or support.

It has been found in. the prior art, that focusing devices forfloodlights and other similar illuminating apparatus have had certaindefects. In some instances, it has been necessary to open. the reflectorcase or chamber in order to secure the desired adjustment of the lamp.Accordingly, the reflector chamber andlamp itself, as well as thereflector, often become coated with dust 4 and moisture. Theilluminating power of the lamp and the efficiency of the reflector wouldthus be greatly diminished, not only on account of the moisture anddust, but be cause in removing the lamp, the highly polished surface ofthe reflector was some times scratched, and the reflecting powe" thereofwas decreased.

Even where is was not found necessary to open the reflector chamber, inorder to procure adjustment of the lamp, the reflector chamber or lampwould, nevertheless, accumulate dust and moisture, because there was nota sufiiciently tight joint between the door closing the chamber andthechamber itself. To overcome these defects, we have provided a focusingdevice that is completely enclosed within a case or reflector chamber,in which all outlets or joints are tightly sealed by gaskets or seals ofrubber, felt, or other suitable material, so that no undesired admissionof dust or moisture can take place.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals ofreference indicate likev parts,

Figure lis a vertical, cross-sectional view showing our focusing meansembodied in a floodlight;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a floodlight embodying our invention; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line III--III of Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows, showing the relative positions of the focusadjusting screws of our device.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a base 1, which is securedto a fixed support (not shown) carries a swinging arm 2 on a pivot 3 insuch a manner as to permit various degrees of adjustment of elevationthereof within an arc of 180. This adjustment is accomplished byproviding a substantially semi-circular portion 4 angularly extendingfrom the base 1 and arranging a series of elongated slots 5 therein nearits periphery, so that a stop or'bolt 6 or other suitable means, carriedin an aperture in the arm 2, may register in the slots 5, and by a nutor other suitable locking means, ma by engaging the extension 4, clampor loc the arm 2 inany desired position of adjustment around its pivot3. I

Near the outer end of the arm 2 there is provided an enlarged,substantially circular foot or base 7, to which .a yoke 8 is secured by---ja stud bolt 9, so'that the yoke. 8 may be adjustedaround the axis ofa pivot or bolt 9 through 360. At the free ends of the arms 10 of theyoke we mount the reflector case 11' of our floodllght upon the pivots12 seat ed" in oppositely positioned apertures 13 in the yoke arms 10.This form of mounting of the reflector case 11 permits an adjustment of360 on its pivotal supports 12. It will be seen that as a result of thearrangement of the arm 2 and the yoke 8 and pi vots 12, above referredto, we can directhght from our floodlight in any direction and at anyangle by the adjustment of these supporting members.

The 'reflector case 11 is a substantially hemispherical or dish-shapemember which may be of any suitable cast or otherwise fabricated metalor material. Near the rear portion thereof, we provide a reflector 14which maybe of hemispherical or parabolic shape, or of any other desiredform adapt-- able to the particular use to which the apparatus is tobedirected. The reflector '14 may besilver coated or plated, or may besilver with a polished reflecting surface. In the present embodiment, itis held in position by clamps 15 engaging a flanged portion of thereflector body. 14. The clamps 15 are held in gripping relation with thereflector by stud bolts 16 or other suitable fastening means threadedinto or' otherwise enga m'ng the body of the reflector case 11.

For one face of the reflectorcase 11, we provide a door 17 having acentrally apertured portion 18. The door 17 is provlded with a channelportion 19 near its peripheral edge, into which is'received theperipheral edge of the reflector case 11. In,the channel portion 19, weseat a gasket 20'of rubber, felt or other suitably compressible materialin" such manner that when the door 17 is closed on the reflector case11, a substantially moisture and dust proof joint will be madetherebetween, and thus no dust or dirt or moisture will be permitted toenter'the case 11 there'- through.

In the inner periphery of the door frame 17, we provide another channelportion 21 in which'we seat another resilient gasket 22. This serves-asa bed or cushion upon which rests a glass or other light transmittinglens or plate 23 whic completely closes the apertime of the door frame17 The lens or plate 23is tightly held in position against the gasket 22by a ring 24 or other suitable means which engages it and which. is-re-- tained in position by means of stud screws 25,'or other suitablefastening means thread- ,ed .initheibody of the door frame 17. The doore 17 is pro 'of laterally e vided with a pa. ding lugs 26 having alinedopemngs 27 therein through which a pivot pin 28 is inserted, which inturn is engaged y lugs 29 carried upon a-pair of spring restrainedplungers 30. The plungers 30 are slidably mounted in a pair of aperturedlugs 31 laterally extending from and integral with thereflector case 11,and a helical 32 mounted aroimd each of the slidspring ing p ungers isadapted to adjust and'hold them in operative relation by it nuts 33 onthe thre ded end of each of the plungers 30. j

A pp roximately hinge portion of the door 17 are re ally disposed andslotted lugs 34 adapted to be en.-

gaged by swivel bolls- 35 carried on pivots diametrically opgosite as 36mounted on lug extensions 37 on the outer' slotted lugs 34 of the door17 and the wing nuts 38 are tightened thereagainst, the weighted arms 39will tend to prevent the accidental loosening or turni of the'nuts' 38upon their threads. It wil be seen that when the door 17 'is turned uponits hinge and is open, the plungers 30 will be drawn back-their fullestextent, by the springs 32 mounted thereon. -When the door 17 is closed,the peripheral edge of the reflector case 11 will be impressed againstthe gasket 20, in the channel portion 19 of the door 17 and thereby makea complete closure of that jolnt.

This closure may be positively retained by swinging the-swivel bolts 35mto place in the slotted lug 34, and by tightening the wing nuts 38thereagain'st. By adjusting the nuts 33 which control the pressure ofthe helical spring 32 against the lug 31, the pressure on the gasket 20is regulated. In this manner, it will be observed, we effect aconvenient, positive and secure dust .and moisture proof closure betweenthe door 17 and the reflector case 111 Extending from one side of thereflector case 11, we provide an integral tubular or box like portion 40which itself is partially closed at its outer end by a cap or cover 41.

The cap 41 is held inoperative relationto the tubular portion 40 bymeansfof suitable fastening means, such as stud bolts 42, passingthrough its peripheral huge and engaging the flange 43 of the enlargedtubular portion f the reflector case 11. The cap a In. the tubularcentral portion 44 of the cap 41,-in slidable relation. therein, weinsort a tubular member 47 which extends both. inwardly toward the bodyof the reflector casev 11, and outwardly from the tubular portion 44 ofthe cap 41, and which is proed with a substantially central vided withthreaded portions 48 at its op- 'te ends. A set screw 49fis threadedinto-the tubular'portion of the cap 41 and is adapted to-engage theslidable tubular member 47 therein. The set screw 49 may be loosened topermit the tubular member 47 to slide longitudinally within the cap 41,or to be tightened and to lock the tubular member 47 againstlongitudinal movement.

On the inner end of the'slidable tubular member 47 a ball like member 50is held in detachable but fixed threaded engagement therewith, so thatit will move with longitudinal movement of the slidable member. Mountedon and around the ball member 50 is a cup-shaped or socket member 51which, with the ball member 50, forms a univer sal ball-and-socketjoint. The cup' shaped member is provided with a flattened portion 70 onits outer surface for providing a bearing for adjusting and lockingbolts, hereinafter to be described. The slid-able tubular member 47 andthe ball 50 and socket members 51 may be of metal or any suitablematerial of suflicient tensile strength to be adaptable to theconditions under 'which they operate.

Detachably secured to the socket member 51 is a lamp supporting member52 of porcelain or other suitable insulating material. Any suitable lampholding member 53 may be mounted on the member 52 in any usual manner,so that it will be moved thereby, and in correspondence therewith.

The porcelain member 52 shown .heiewith, is attached to the socketmember 51 by screws 55 passing through apertures 56 in said supportingmember 52 and into threaded apertures 57 in-said socket member 51. Thesupporting member 52 and the socket member 51 are separated by washers58 of mica, felt, cloth or any other suitable material. The lamp 59 maybe screwed or otherwise held'in the lamp holding socket 53 in any usualmanner. The supporting member 52 is provided with binding or conuectingposts 60 to receive conductors 61 carrying current to energize the lamp59, uhich conductors 61 pass through the adjustable slidable member 47into and through the condulet 62, to a source of current, not shown.

The. condulet 62 is threaded or otherwise sccuredto the outer end of theslidable tubuhr member 47 and thereby closes that end of the cap member41 through which the tubular member 47 passes. The condulet 62 itself isclosed at its outer end, exceptat the apertures 63 through which theconductors 6! pass. v

In order to prcserve'the closed sealed condition of the reflector case11 and to prevent the entrance of moisture or dust through the condulet62, the condulet 62 is filled or otherwi-"e sealed with any suitablesealing wax or other substance impervious to air, dust and moisture. Inorder to tightly close the joint made between the cap 41 and theenlarged tubular portion 40 of the reflector case 11, we may provide agasket which may be of rubber, or other suitable material tions underwhich it may be required to operate, it has been found neceisary, inorder to secure a maximum efliciency, to have a highly flexible degreeof adjustment of the lamp 59 or source of li ht, in reference to thefocal point of the reflector. In some cases, it may be desired to directthe light in a flood of arallel beams; in other cases, it may be desiredto direct the light in diverging or diffused rays, over Wide areas; andin still other cases, it may be desired to converge or concentrate thelight upon a comparatively small surface or point. To meet these varyingconditions, it is necessary to provide a universal adjustment of thelight in respect to the focal point of the re-- flec'tor 14. It is toaccomplish this with facility, without the necessity of opening thereflector cae 11, except in case of repairs, or when the installation ofa new lamp 59 is required, that we have devised our improved focusingapparatus. Y

There is also reason for particularly delicate and exact adjustment ofthe lam) 59 in apparatus of this character resulting rom theconstruction of the lamp usually operated therewith. It has been thepractice in the operation of floodlights, to use a lamp having'a veryconcentrated filament 65. It will be observed from this, that toproperly position such a lamp 59 and its light producing filament 65 inreference to the focal point, delicacy of adjustment in the'focusingapparatus is necessary.

It will be also observed that when the lamp 59 is to be adjusted it isimportant in order to maintain the efficiency of the device,

that the adjustment be readily and accurately accompli hed andpositively maintained without the necess ty of opening the reflectorcase 11, except when it may be desired to make repairs thereto, orinstall a new lamp. The adjusting screws 46, acting on the socket member51 are placed approximately 120 apart, and extend within the body of thereflector-case 1.1, or its extended tubular portion 41. They maytherefore be operated, without any opening of the reflector case 11, toeffect any desired universal adjustment of the socket member 51 aroundthe ball. member 50 and the adju tment universally of the lamp 59 inreference to the focal point of the reflector 14. By the operation ofthe set screws 46 this adjustment may he made to any degree of finenessdesired.

i It is obvious that if we slightly loosen or member 51,-the lampcarrying member 52 and the lamp 59 itself will be moved relatively tothe focus of the reflector 14. If onthe contrary, we loosen or withdrawsomewhat two of the screws and tighten the third screw correspondingly,the lamp 59 and its supporting member-52 and the socket 51 will be movedtherebyand differently positioned with reference to the focus oftherefiector l4. From this, it will be seen that, by varying theadjustment of the respective screws.

' in the longitudinal direction, by loosening the set screw 49 in thetubular portion 44 of the cap 41 and by moving the slidable tubularmember 47 either forwardly or backwardly in the cap 41. As the ballmember 50 is carried on the end of said tubular member 47, this movementwill result in the longitudinal adjustment of the lamp 59.

The longitudinal adjustment may also be opening thereof;

Y We have also provided means which will permit the light to beconveniently and readaccomplished by the operation of the set screws 46acting on the socket member 51. If they are screwed down equally, theywill bear against member 51 and cause a corresponding longitudinalmovement of the lamp 59. n

It willbe seenv from the foregoing, that we have provided anilluminating device in which the lamp is enclosed in a reflector casethat is dust and moisture proof and in which at the same time willpermit of a fine, positive and delicate adjustment of the lamp andpositive locking in adjusted position thereof, by thaprovision of meansentirely exterior to the reflector case and without the ily directed to,or on a'surface or point at any angle from the base or support of thedevice. We have also provided a simple .and compact apparatus which isof comparatively few parts, is positive of operation, is capable ofdelicate adjustment and is of efiicient and durable construction, andwhich may haveother advantages not specifically herein set-forth. 1

Althpughwe have described one form of 1 our invention, in the foregoingspecification,

we do not wish to be limited thereby except has the stateof the art andthe" appended claims may require, for it is obvious that changes may bemade in the organization, combination and construction of parts thereofwithout departing from the spirit and scope of our inventionj Forinstance, instead of set screw 49' for adjusting the lamp focuslongitudinally,- we may provide threaded portions on cover 41 and member47, which co'-operate for the same purpose; or we may utilize locknuts-t0 co-operate with the threaded portion of the member 47.

What we claim is:

l. The combination with a lamp casing provided witha plurality ofcovered apertures therein, of means formounting and universallyadjusting a lamp in said casing comprising an apertured hollow memberadapted to support a lamp socket, a support for said hollow memberadapted to be ad jusiably'mounted on a supporting cover for one of theapertures of said. cas1ng and to extend through an aperture in saidhollow member. a bearing member on said support mounted within saidhollowmember, said.

bearing member providing means for retaming said hollow member on saidsupport, an exterior bearing portion on said hollow member and aplurality of exteriorly operable threaded means mounted on saidsupporting cover adapted. to engage the bearing gr locking and adjustingsaid hollow mem- 2. A light projectorcomprising a casing, having aremovable cover in one portion thereof, a lamp in said casing, aninsulating support for mounting said lam ,an apertured hollow memberwithin sai casing attached to said support. a tubular member, extendingthrough said apertured member for providing a conduit .for electricalconnectors, a ball member secured to said tubular member providing aninner ball joint insaid hollow member, means for adjustably securingsaid tubular member to said cover adapted to engage said hollow memberand means in said cover for adjusting and lock ing said jointed members.

3.'A light projector comprising a casing,

a cover secured to said casing, a lamp-supporting-and-focusing deviceattached to sa d 7

